SHOT STOPPING
All goalkeepers find this the most stimulating and rewarding part of goalkeeping. Perfecting each different practice throughout the week will stand any keeper in good stead for the game. Making saves look easy and being in position at the right time will often win games.
The coaching techniques practiced during training sessions must be designed to be as close to match situations as possible.
Here are some exercises that I would use with my goalkeepers.
Exercise 1
GK touches the yellow cone that is placed diagonally 4 meters away from the post and then moves back towards the near post to make a low diving save from S who is trying to score at the near post.
Serves –side foot, volleys, bounce ball.
Exercise 1A
This exercise is the progression from exercise 1. This time after the goalkeeper makes the diving save at the near post he/she has to react quickly and get to his/her feet to deal with another shot that will be placed to the opposite side.
When doing this exercise I would explain to the goalkeepers the reason for the second shot is that they might deflect the ball back to the server instead of parrying it out to safety, and not back in the direction it came from. This can happen in a match situation so try to eliminate all second shooting chances
Exercise 3
Gk positions him/herself 1 yard from the post and 1 foot of his/her line. S1 is positioned 6 yards out from the goal facing the goalkeeper. S1 plays a low shot to the GK LHS for the GK to make a low diving save. Gk then has to get quickly to his/her feet to deal with another shot from S2 who is positioned 6 yards out on the opposite side of the goal.
Serves – side foot, volleys and bounce ball.
Again this can happen in a match situation where the first shot is deflected into the path of an attacking player.
Exercise 3
GK takes up a position a yard of the centre of the goal in an open stance with his/her back to the server. On the coaches command the GK turns quickly and moves towards the front post where S1 who is positioned on the bye line cuts the ball back for the Gk to make a low diving save.
Exercise 3A
This is the same as exercise 3 but now a second server is added. This is done to make the exercise as close to a match situation as possible.
The goalkeeper has made a save but has deflected the ball to the second server for him to shoot. GK must react quickly and get to his feet, move into position and get ready to save the shot.
Exercise 4
A cone is placed a yard off-centre in the goal, the GK stands a yard away from the cone and on the coaches call the GK touches the cone.
Whilst this is happening, S2 throws the ball to S1, who volleys the ball at the goal for the Gk to make a save or catch.
S2 can also roll the ball to S1 for a side footed shot. I would work 8 reps working both sides.
